DAVID: A MAN OF HUMILITY

We know that David was a humble leader because he was not spoiled by honor, he freely confessed his
weaknesses, and he gave God the glory for what he accomplished.

The Bible describes humility as a lowly view of self, an exalted view of God, and submission to God’s will.
David’s humility contributed to his greatness as a leader.

We learned that David was a shepherd—a lowly occupation. What is remarkable about this shepherd is
that even after he was greatly honored, he always went back to shepherding. HONOR DID NOT SPOIL
HIM. He Was Anointed As The Future King Of Israel. Samuel anointed David King of Israel, but what did
David do after such a life-changing event (1 Sam. 16:19)? Some time later Saul sent for David and found
him right back at his old job—shepherding the sheep! The anointing oil didn’t spoil David!

In spite of the great significance of his anointing, David went back to the fields to care for his sheep with
the holy anointing oil still upon his head.

He Played The Harp Before Saul. We don’t know how long David stayed at the palace (1 Sam. 16:22-23),
but 1 Samuel 17:15 tells us that when David’s stay with Saul ended, he went back to the fields. David
might be the future king, and he might be a gifted musician, but he was not above doing the lowliest,
dirtiest job in all Israel. In fact, this humble quality was one of the reasons God chose David (Psalm
78:70-72).

DAVID FREELY ADMITTED HIS SHORTCOMINGS AND SINS.

Humility and honesty are twins. Where you see one, you see the other. Humility is being honest about
yourself. David never thought of himself as more than he really was. When preparing to fight Goliath,
Saul tried to make him wear his own armor. But David readily admitted, “I cannot go with these; for I
have not proved them” (1 Samuel 17:39). David was a young man, and Saul was taller than anyone else
in Israel. Most of us would have determined to wear the armor rather than admit we weren’t able.
There is no pride in David; however, so he can be perfectly honest! Leaders must know their strengths
and weaknesses. David’s strength was the Lord, his weakness was himself, and he knew both very well.
Insecure and proud people are often blind to their own weaknesses. Some five to ten years later, David
fled from Saul’s wrath. Twice during that time, he came face to face with Saul. The first time he called
himself “a dead dog” and “a flea” (1 Samuel 24:14). The second time he called himself a “flea” and “a
partridge in the mountains” (1 Samuel 26:20). However, when David fought Goliath, the giant was
enraged that David came to him carrying only a staff. He bellowed, “Am I a dog, that thou comest to me
with staves?” (1 Samuel 17:43). David had no problem thinking of himself as nothing. Goliath, however,
lost his head because of pride. David Was Honest About His Social Standing. In 2 Samuel 7 God promised
David that his children and descendants would always sit on the throne of Israel. That God would do this
for David overwhelmed him. He replied in verse 18: “Who am I, O Lord God? And what is my house, that
thou hast brought me hitherto?” Earlier, when Saul offered to let David marry his daughter, David
replied, “Who am I? And what is my life, or my father’s family in Israel, that I should be son-in-law to the
king?” (1 Samuel 18:18). In verse 23 he added, “…I am a poor man, and lightly esteemed.” David never
tried to act like more than he was. Although people honored him, women sang of his greatness, and
thousands voluntarily followed him into battle, David never forgot that he was just a shepherd boy that
God had, for some amazing reason, chosen to use!
DAVID WAS HONEST ABOUT HIS SIN.
David was not perfect. Like us, he fell not once, but many times to the temptations of sin. He committed
adultery, he murdered Uriah, he failed miserably with his sons, his deception led to a priest and his
family being murdered, he gave up on God’s promise to make him king, and he sinned in numbering the
children of Israel. That David sinned should not surprise us. After all, he was human like us. What is
remarkable about David is his reaction to his sin. What was David’s response to his sin? 1. When faced
with it, he quickly and readily admitted his guilt (2 Samuel 12:13; 24:10, 17). 2. He grieved over his sin
and begged God for forgiveness (Psalm 51). 3. He continued serving the Lord (Proverbs 24:16).

DAVID GAVE GOD GLORY FOR EVERY VICTORY IN HIS LIFE

When David became king of all Israel, he wrote 2 Samuel 22 as a song of praise to the Lord. Look at
verses 1-3, 7-10; 18; 30-33; 50-51. Though the entire psalm is a praise to God for His power, these verses
especially reveal David’s conviction that his victories were not his, but God’s! It was God that allowed
him to “run through a troop,” to “leap over a wall,” and who “teacheth my hands to war; so that a bow
of steel is broken by mine arms.” That is the attitude of the humble. They realize that it is God, not
themselves, that is the source of any success they may have.

David’s humility is part of what made him a great leader. Biblical humility is an attitude based on four
ingredients. David’s exalted view of God kept him from pride. Psalm 10, which most Bible scholars think
was written by David, compares the proud man to the humble man. Verses 1-11 reveal the
characteristics of the proud, and verses 12-18 reveal the characteristics of the humble.

A LOWLY VIEW OF SELF.

A high view of God produces a low view of self. We have already seen David’s humility in his confession
of sin, his working with the lowly sheep even after Samuel anointed him as the future king of Israel, and
in his psalms. Submission to God’s Will. Humility is also seen in our submission to God’s will. Proud men
“do not seek after God” (Psalm 10:4). They are determined to have their own way. No one will tell them
what to do.

Obedience to God’s Word. Not only do the humble submit readily to God’s will and plan for their lives,
but they also submit to God’s Word. Their one goal in life is to obey the written Word.
 MOSES—A MAN OF HUMILITY
Humility involves freedom from arrogance or pride. A humble person does not view others as inferior to
himself. Any imperfect human who is humble should also be modest, that is, aware of his limitations.

Moses did not let authority go to his head. Often, when a man receives a little authority, his humility—or
lack thereof—quickly becomes evident.

Moses received great authority, for Jehovah commissioned him to lead Israel. Yet, that power never
made Moses proud. Consider, for example, the modest way he handled a difficult question about
inheritance rights. (Numbers 27:1-11) The question was a weighty one, as the decision would set a legal
precedent for generations to come.

How would Moses respond? Would he reason that as leader of Israel, he was qualified to make a
decision in the matter? Would he lean on his natural ability, his years of experience, or his intimate
knowledge of Jehovah’s thinking?

Perhaps a proud man would have done so. But not Moses. The Bible record tells us: “Moses presented
[the] case before Jehovah.” (Numbers 27:5) Just think! Even after some 40 years of leading the nation of
Israel, Moses relied, not on himself, but on Jehovah. Here we see Moses’ humility at its best.

Moses did not jealously guard his authority. He rejoiced when Jehovah allowed other Israelites to act as
prophets alongside him. (Numbers 11:24-29) When his father-in-law suggested that he delegate some of
his workload, Moses humbly applied the suggestion. (Exodus 18:13-24) And toward the end of his life,
although still physically strong, Moses asked Jehovah to appoint a successor for him. When Jehovah
selected Joshua, Moses wholeheartedly supported the younger man, urging the people to follow
Joshua’s lead into the Promised Land. (Numbers 27:15-18; Deuteronomy 31:3-6; 34:7) To be sure,
Moses counted it a privilege to lead the Israelites in worship. But he did not put his authority ahead of
the welfare of others.
 JOSEPH’S HUMILITY

Joseph, Jacob's son, is well-known for two things: the special coat his father gave him, and his leadership
over Egypt as its administrator. Between these two things is a slew of painful experiences. Through it all,
however, he grew in humility, recognizing God's hand in everything. He told his brothers in Genesis
50:20,

"But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is
this day, to save many people alive."

“Joseph answered Pharaoh, ‘It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer’” (Gen. 41:16).  
- Genesis 41:14-32

Pharaoh’s dream horrifies him, and he quickly sends for Joseph after his own “wise men” are unable
interpret it (Gen. 41:8–14). We understand that his vision was especially frightening to him, not only
because it questioned Egypt’s ability to produce healthy grain, but also because of the emaciated cattle
(vv. 3–7). The Hebrew phrase used to describe these cows is used nowhere else in Scripture, implying
that they were uniquely grotesque.

In a flurry of activity, Joseph is released from the “pit,” that is, the prison, and dressed in a manner
appropriate for an audience with the pharaoh (v. 14). His interpretation of dreams is what angered his
brothers and got him cast into a pit in the first place (37:18–36), but now, ironically, it is this same gift
that gets him out. Pharaoh’s embellishments while telling Joseph of his dreams (ugly cows that he “had
never seen in all the land of Egypt,” 41:19) indicates that he sees his visions as threatening. Joseph’s
interpretation bears this out. Appropriately, cows and corn represent the abundance and scarcity of
Egypt’s agriculture, and Joseph tells him that seven years of hunger are on their way. But this cloud has
a silver lining. Though the famine is sure to come, seven years of plenty will precede it (vv. 17–32).

Humility manifests when God calls us for service. All of our talents come ultimately from Jesus, who, by
His Spirit, strengthens us to face every circumstance (Phil. 4:13). Joseph’s life shows that we succeed
only because of the Lord’s grace that gives what is needed for faithful service. Due to events outside of
his control, he can now stand before the pharaoh and give God’s wisdom to him. Divine providence had
arranged so that the events affecting Joseph should come to pass.” (Homilies on Genesis, 63.13–14).
Jacob’s favorite son understands this and is quick to credit God with his gifts ( Gen. 41:16, 25). As a
mature believer, Joseph, “wishes, above all things, to ascribe to God the glory due to him.” 
 JESUS CHRIST

The greatest example of humility the Bible gives to us is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. He - the only
begotten Son of God - came down to earth and took on the lowest form ever: that of a servant.

"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it
robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and
coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and
became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly
exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee
should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every
tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:5-11)

SUBMITTED BY:

JIAN PAULO V. GENDRANO

 JOHN THE BAPTIST

Text: John 3:30 - “He must increase, but I must decrease.” Also read John 3:22-30

Sometimes we can see other people doing something better than us and we can become jealous. Being
humble means that we will rejoice when others around us succeed. We should never become jealous of
them.

There was a time when John the Baptist was tested in this very thing. But he didn’t allow jealousy to
have any place in his life, instead he was very humble and a very good example to us. There was a time
when John the Baptist began his ministry that a lot of people were coming to him to be baptized. Every
day there would be long lines of people waiting to be baptized by John. This wasn’t because John was so
special, but because the Holy Spirit was doing a work to prepare people for the coming of Jesus. So John
had a wonderful ministry going on when Jesus came to him to be baptized. When Jesus came John
pointed out Jesus in the crowd and said, “There is Jesus, He is the one sent by God to take away the sins
of the world.” He pointed them to Jesus. After a while more and more people began to follow Jesus.

A disciple of John’s coming to him to tell him that Jesus and his disciples are now baptizing more people
than John, and everyone is going to Jesus now. It is almost like he is saying, “John, we better do
something, we had a great thing happening and now it is all going to be ruined because all the people
are going to Jesus.” But John the Baptist was a very humble man and taught his disciples and us a
valuable lesson about humility. He said that God gives everyone their work to do. God gave John the
Baptist his work and he faithfully completed it. He told them that Jesus is the one they should look for,
not him. He said he is Jesus’ friend. Then he talks about how that Jesus is greater than anyone and has
come from heaven. So John tells them that he needs to decrease and Jesus needs to increase. What that
means is that they should be hearing less and less of John and more and more of Jesus.

That is the same attitude of humility that we should have. Our lives should become less and less
important and Jesus becomes more and more important. Is Jesus becoming more and more important in
your life? Everything we do in life should be centered on giving Jesus glory.
 JESUS SET THE PATTERN OF HUMILITY

“I set the pattern for you, that, just as I did to you, you should do also.”—JOHN 13:15.

1, 2. During Jesus’ last night on earth, he teach lessons to his apostles?

IT IS Jesus’ last night on earth. He is with his apostles in the upper room of a house in Jerusalem. While
they are having a meal, Jesus gets up and takes off his outer garments. He ties a towel around his waist
and puts water into a basin. Then he begins to wash the feet of the disciples and to dry them off with
the towel. When he finishes, he puts his garments back on. Why did Jesus do such a humble thing?—
John 13:3-5.

2 
Jesus himself explained: “Do you know what I have done to you?” He continued: “If I, although Lord
and Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash the feet of one another. For I set the pattern for
you, that, just as I did to you, you should do also.” (John 13:12-15) With this humble act, Jesus taught his
apostles a lesson that they would not forget and that would encourage them to be humble later on.

3. (a) On two occasions, Jesus show the importance of humility

3 
When Jesus washed the feet of the apostles, it was not the first time he showed them how important
humility is. One time, some of the apostles were arguing about who was the greatest among them. Jesus
brought a young child to them and told them: “Whoever receives this young child on the basis of my
name receives me too, and whoever receives me receives him also that sent me forth. For he that
conducts himself as a lesser one among all of you is the one that is great.” (Luke 9:46-48) At a later time
when Jesus was talking to the Pharisees, who thought that they were more important than others, he
said: “Everyone that exalts himself will be humbled and he that humbles himself will be exalted.” ( Luke
14:11) Clearly, Jesus wants his followers to be humble. He does not want them to be proud, to think that
they are more important than others, or to act as if they were better than others. Let us carefully study
Jesus’ example of humility so that we can imitate him. We will also learn how this quality helps not only
the one who shows it but others as well.

“I DID NOT TURN IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION”

4. Jesus showed humility before he came to earth?

4 
God’s Son showed humility even before he came to earth. In heaven, Jesus had been with his Father for
a very long time. The Bible book of Isaiah describes the strong relationship the Son had with his Father.
It says: “The Sovereign Lord Jehovah himself has given me the tongue of the taught ones, that I may
know how to answer the tired one with a word. He awakens morning by morning; he awakens my ear to
hear like the taught ones. The Sovereign Lord Jehovah himself has opened my ear, and I, for my part,
was not rebellious. I did not turn in the opposite direction.” (Isaiah 50:4, 5) Jesus wanted very much to
learn from the true God. He showed a humble attitude and carefully listened to what Jehovah taught
him. He must also have watched how Jehovah humbly showed mercy toward sinful humans.

5. Jesus show humility and modesty when he had a disagreement with the Devil
5 
Not all angels were humble like Jesus. The angel who became Satan the Devil did not want to learn
from Jehovah. He became proud and started to feel that he was more important than others. This was
the opposite of humility. As a result, he rebelled against Jehovah. Jesus’ attitude was very different. He
did not want more authority in heaven than what God had given him. And he never wanted to use his
authority in the wrong way. For example, the Bible tells us about one time when Jesus had a
disagreement with the Devil about Moses’ body. When this happened, Jesus did not do anything that he
did not have the right to do, even though he was Michael, the angel with the most authority. God’s Son
showed humility and modesty. He was happy to wait for Jehovah, the Supreme Judge of the universe, to
take care of things in the right way and at the right time.—Read Jude 9.
Jesus was happy to wait for Jehovah to take care of things in the right way and at the right time

6. Jesus showed humility by agreeing to become the Messiah

6 
While still in heaven, Jesus knew all the prophecies about what would happen to him as the Messiah.
So he probably already knew that he was going to suffer. Even so, Jesus agreed to live on earth and die
as the promised Messiah. Why? The apostle Paul showed that humility was what helped Jesus. Paul
wrote that although Jesus was a powerful angel, he did not think that “he should be equal to God.”
Instead, “he emptied himself and took a slave’s form and came to be in the likeness of men.”—
Philippians 2:6, 7.

AS A HUMAN, “HE HUMBLED HIMSELF”

Jesus’ showed humility help others.

7, 8. Jesus showed humility during his childhood and his ministry
7 
Paul wrote that while Jesus was a human, “he humbled himself and became obedient as far as death,
yes, death on a torture stake.” (Philippians 2:8) From his childhood on, Jesus left us a pattern, or an
example,  of humility to imitate. Jesus obeyed his parents, Joseph and Mary, even though they were
imperfect. (Luke 2:51) This is a fine example for young ones. God will bless them for their obedience to
their parents.

8 
As an adult, Jesus showed in many ways that he was humble. The most important thing for him was to
do Jehovah’s will. (John 4:34) During his ministry, Jesus Christ used God’s name and taught people about
God’s purpose and the kind of God his Father is. Jesus not only taught people to live in a way that
pleased God but also lived that way himself. For example, when Jesus taught his disciples how to pray,
the first thing he mentioned was: “Our Father in the heavens, let your name be sanctified.” (Matthew
6:9) Here Jesus showed his disciples that the most important thing for them to do was to glorify
Jehovah’s name. Jesus himself did that. Near the end of his life on earth, Jesus could say to Jehovah: “I
have made your name known to them and will make it known.” (John 17:26) Also, Jesus often said that
he could not do anything without Jehovah’s help.—John 5:19.
9.  Jesus fulfiledl this prophecy of Zechariah about the Messiah

9 
Zechariah prophesied about the Messiah: “Be very joyful, O daughter of Zion. Shout in triumph,
O daughter of Jerusalem. Look! Your king himself comes to you. He is righteous, yes, saved; humble, and
riding upon an ass, even upon a full-grown animal the son of a she-ass.” (Zechariah 9:9) This was fulfilled
when Jesus entered Jerusalem before the Passover in the year 33. Many people spread clothes as well
as tree branches on the road. In fact, the people in Jerusalem were excited when they heard that he was
entering the city. Even when these people praised him as their King, Jesus was humble.—Matthew 21:4-
11.

10.  Jesus proved his obedience until death.

10 
While he was on earth, Jesus Christ showed humility and obedience until his death on a torture stake.
He proved in the best possible way that humans can stay loyal to Jehovah even in extremely difficult
situations. Jesus also showed that Satan was wrong when he said that humans serve Jehovah only
because of what they can get from him. (Job 1:9-11; 2:4) By perfectly obeying his Father, Christ
defended Jehovah’s right to rule and showed he trusted that Jehovah’s way of ruling is the best. It must
have made Jehovah very happy to see his humble Son show perfect loyalty.—Read Proverbs 27:11.

Jesus proved that humans can stay loyal to Jehovah even in extremely difficult situations

11. What did Jesus’ sacrifice make possible for those who have faith in him?
11 
Jesus’ death on a torture stake made it possible for people to be  saved from sin and death. (Matthew
20:28) Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, Jehovah can forgive our sins according to his righteous requirements
and give humans the opportunity to live forever. Paul wrote: “Through one act of justification the result
to men of all sorts is a declaring of them righteous for life.” (Romans 5:18) Jesus’ death made it possible
for those anointed by holy spirit to have everlasting life in heaven and for the “other sheep” to have
everlasting life on earth.—John 10:16; Romans 8:16, 17.

I AM “LOWLY IN HEART”

12. Jesus is humble and gentle in the way he treated imperfect humans

12 
Jesus invited all those who feel tired and discouraged to come to him. He said: “Take my yoke upon
you and learn from me, for I am mild-tempered and lowly in heart, and you will find refreshment for
your souls.” (Matthew 11:28, 29) Because Jesus was humble and mild, he treated imperfect humans
kindly and fairly. He did not expect more of his disciples than what they could do. Jesus praised and
encouraged them. He did not make them feel that they were stupid or not good enough. Jesus was not
harsh or hard to please. On the contrary, he said: “My yoke is kindly and my load is light.” He meant that
the requirements for being one of his disciples were not too difficult to obey. If they learned from him
and obeyed his teachings, they would feel comforted. That is why men and women, young and old, liked
being with Jesus.—Matthew 11:30.

13. Jesus showed mercy to those who had a hard life

13 
Jesus felt sorry for those in Israel who had a hard life, and he did all he could to help them. Near
Jericho, he met two blind beggars, Bartimaeus and his friend. The two of them kept asking Jesus for
help, but the people around them told the men to be quiet. Jesus could have easily ignored the blind
men, but he did not. He felt sorry for those two men, so he called them to him and healed them so that
they could see again. Jesus imitated his Father, Jehovah, by showing humility and mercy to sinful
humans.—Matthew 20:29-34; Mark 10:46-52.

“WHOEVER HUMBLES HIMSELF WILL BE EXALTED”

14. Good things resulted from Jesus’ humility:

14 
Jesus’ humble attitude resulted in joy and blessings for many. Jehovah was happy because of his
Son’s  obedience. The apostles and disciples were comforted and encouraged by the mild and humble
way Jesus treated them. By being a good example for them, teaching them, and commending them, he
helped them become better servants of God. Jesus helped many others by teaching them, encouraging
them, and giving them what they needed. Actually, because of Jesus’ sacrifice, all humans who have
faith in him will have blessings for all eternity.
At Armageddon, Jesus will fight to defend those who are humble

15 
What about Jesus? Did he benefit from being humble? Yes, he did. How? Jesus himself said: “Whoever
humbles himself will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:12) Paul explained that this is exactly what happened to
Jesus. Paul said: “God exalted him to a superior position and kindly gave him the name that is above
every other name, so that in the name of Jesus every knee should bend of those in heaven and those on
earth and those under the ground, and every tongue should openly acknowledge that Jesus Christ is
Lord to the glory of God the Father.” Because Jesus was humble and faithful while on earth, Jehovah
God “exalted,” or honored, his Son by giving him authority over all those in heaven and on earth.—
Philippians 2:9-11.

JESUS WILL “RIDE IN THE CAUSE OF TRUTH AND HUMILITY”

16. God’s Son will continue to show humility in the future

16 
God’s Son will continue to show humility in the future. One of the psalms foretells how Jesus, as King
in heaven, will act against God’s enemies. It says: “In your splendor go on to success; ride in the cause of
truth and humility and righteousness.” (Psalm 45:4) At Armageddon, Jesus Christ will fight to defend
those who are humble and righteous and who love truth. And what will happen at the end of the
thousand years of Christ’s reign when he “has brought to nothing all government and all authority and
power”? Will he show humility? Yes. The Bible tells us that he will then give the Kingdom back to his God
and Father.—Read 1 Corinthians 15:24-28.

SUBMITTED BY:

JIAN PAULO V. GENDRANO